Circus trespassed upon, vandalized raceway, has USDA violations

MOBERLY — Recently, Moberly was the intended destination for the Whirling Brothers Circus.

Due to what can only be put to poor planning, the circus had nowhere to set up their show.

The circus promoted the show to take place at the Randolph County Fairgrounds, which technically do not exist the area. The fair is held in part of the Moberly Parks and Recreation system that is simply known as the Agriculture Area.

After the traveling circus took part in a motor vehicle accident in which nine (eight of their own) were hurt last Thursday night (Sept. 5), they decided to start set up at the Randolph County Raceway.

While someone from the circus did contact the raceway in the early summer to arrange accommodations, no contracts were ever worked out, and the circus never made any formal commitments to reserve the date.

David Claypool, owner of Randolph County Raceway, found the circus at the Raceway grounds Friday morning (Sept. 6). According to Claypool, employees from the circus had already started setting up in anticipation for the evening’s show. Claypool went on to say that someone — allegedly associates from the circus — had broken into buildings at the raceway and connected to their power.

Whirling Brothers is owned by Piccadilly Circus.

Piccadilly and Whirling Brothers have received numerous violations from the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) within the last few months. USDA has cited them for inhumane treatment and lack of veterinary care.

According to USDA reports, the circus’ animals are inhumanely transported. A total of three llamas, two young camels, one zebra, six ponies, and two donkeys occupied a space of less than 129 square feet in the group’s trailer. That comes to 129 square feet — far less area than a 12-foot-by-12-foot space.

The animals were required to be hauled long distances in this condition, with little access to the water trough due to the overcrowding in the trailer.

Items were reported to be not secured in the trailer, so much so that they could come off of shelves and injure animals.

The official report from the USDA continues with a list of grievances, including knowingly feeding spoiled meat to lions and not getting care for an ewe that fractured her left rear leg. The ewe was also transported in a cramped trailer, which increased her risk of re-injury. No treatment was provided to the ewe, and a veterinarian emphasized in his final report, “that she (the ewe) should have been seen much sooner.” The USDA continued in their report, listing unsafe structures and pins used for the animals.

The circus is being allowed time to correct the issues that the USDA noted in the inspection. No further updates are available currently from the USDA.